SpaceX successfully launched its first mission of the year — and its last for customer Iridium

Update Jan. 11th, 2019 11AM EST: The takeoff was successful but the launch is still ongoing. SpaceX also landed its Falcon 9 rocket on one of its drone ships following liftoff, bringing its total number of successful booster landings to 33.

Original: SpaceX is set to launch its first Falcon 9 rocket of the year this morning out of California — a flight that will also mark the first orbital mission of 2019 for the US. The company will be sending up 10 satellites for long-time customer Iridium. After takeoff, SpaceX will attempt its first rocket landing of the year by touching down on an autonomous drone ship in the Pacific.